What is the normal time you get for testing
 

What is the normal time you get for testing from the DAR or the Faa? My DAR told me yesterday that I would probably have a 40-hour, 50-mile radius test period. I was just wondering what is common?

Thanks,
Nick

Close
 

That sounds close, Nick. If you are using a certified engine and propeller, you might get 25 hours instead of 40. However, since most guys are using non-certified engines they usually get 40.

The radius can sometimes be negotiated but some DAR's only give a 25 mile radius. They generally try to keep you from overflying densely populated areas during phase 1.

Regards,

40 hours for a non-certified engine or a non-certified prop/engine combination. 25 hours if they are certified.

I received 40 hours in my Rocket because the engine was an "experimental" engine built by Bart at Aerosport Power. I only got 25 in my RV-6 because they thought the engine was a certified Lycoming, although it came from Bart as well.:rolleyes:

As an aside, you can really use the 40 hours regardless. If you are carefull and fully test everything, you'll use up all of 40 hours doing it right. I came up with some flight test cards back in 1999 that are posted all over the Internet. If you do a search, you'll find them. They provide a starting point for stepping you through the flight test process one flight at a time.

25-40
 

Several DARs on the forum can answer more specifically, but I think you will find that 25 hours is common when using certified engine and prop. If you are installing experimental engine or prop I think its usually 40 hours.

Negotiate your test area
 

The test area is often negotiated. While the 50 mile circle is the "norm", in our area the DAR will often change the area to a polygon that includes many airports and excludes flights into the jurisdiction of an adjacent FSDO. DARs are recognizing that high performance experimental aircraft can cover a lot of ground in a short period of time. Obviously, a builder who is based in an area of low population density will have more leverage when discussing the test area with his DAR, but don't hesitate to ask about an extended or irregular-shaped area. This negotiation needs to be conducted prior to the inspection so the DAR can prepare paperwork to accommodate the test area.

What Sam says....I established with my DAR prior to his visit my requested test area which was much larger than the 50 mile radius, and explained that this was due to the high cruise speed of my -9A :) and the close proximity of NY and Philly Class B airspaces. Ended up with him approving a polygon about 150 miles by 75 miles, with cut outs for the class B's. He also wanted a list of the airports that I planned to 'visit' during this period as well to further endorse the area. As you can imagine, this worked really well, but even so, in the end i felt like a fly inside a glass jar, bumping up against the edges/sides. Good test for the flight planning and interaction between my GPS and Autopilot though. Cool to see the Ap making small corrections so accurately.

Allan

I had an FAA employee perform the inspection on my -8. I think it was one of the last experimentals done by the FAA in my area. They cut back due to being short handed. He is the father of a co-worker of mine, saved me several hundred dollars.

My Lycoming is out of a 1966 Mooney but was on another experimental before I got it. The prior owner took the name plate off the engine. I made a stainless name plate and had it engraved with "Experimental Lycoming". The inspector read the plate and said "I guess you get 25 hours." I said "But..." and his look told me to shut up. So I got 25 hours.

Something finally worked in my favor. :)

Karl

Certificated engine/prop combination will normally get 25 hrs. This is up to the inspector. If there is something that makes him/her uncomfortable, he/she can add whatever time makes him/her comfortable. If the engine has after market "stuff" such as electronic ignition or anything not listed on the type certificate, than the engine becomes experimental and drops into the 40 hr. flight test.
The test area is flexible depending on the speed of the aircraft and the surrounding area. I typically give a 75 NM radius for RVs. This area can be a radius or defined by landmarks. Also, it does NOT have to be centered on your home airport.
And YEP, sometimes you need to know when to shut up!

I got a large polygon test area
 

My home airport is under the STL Class B so I suggested an odd shaped polygon with airports at the corner points. My DAR made some adjustments but I basically got what I asked for with 50-60 nm sides.

Given how conservative the FAA can be, I'm pretty certain that I know the answer is gonna be no, but what the heck asking is free.

Given the proliferation of experimental lyclones, is there any chance that experimental engines built by the bigger players (superior for instance) will get the 25 hour test period any time soon?